At the 2024 AMSN Convention, Mary Christine Seyer-Signorino, BSN, RN, CMSRN, BSDH, presented the “Unveiling the Blind Spot: Nurses' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Perception of Non-Ventilator-Associated Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (NV-HAP)” poster. The cross-sectional study identified gaps in nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding NV-HAP and suggested a need for educational programs to enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in NV-HAP prevention. In this Q&A, Seyer-Signorino discusses the impact of her research, plans for future research, and more.
What is the value of research?
The value of research is tied to our passion and mission in life. When you know from personal experience that you can improve the trajectory of one’s life and witness the consequences of the attributes and antecedents of that action, there are no “gaps” or doubts in the passion of that mission. Carper calls it “ways of knowing.” Swanson calls it “The Theory of Caring.” Rodgers calls it “the evolution of a concept.” Therefore, the value of research is its ability to be shared joyfully for a higher purpose and a greater good in the quality of life.
How is your research making an impact, big or small, or how do you anticipate it will make a difference?
My research is making a small impact on nursing. Sustainability is difficult. Routine bedside oral care is unintentionally forgotten among our high-acuity patient population. Yet, many patients and their families are grateful to discuss the NV-HAP phenomena, which motivates families to assist the patient in toothbrushing and denture care. During the pilot stage, all but one patient was compliant and refused because he believed he had to be standing at the sink to brush. But one thing that has made a difference is sometimes uncovering patients who are in ongoing pain from burning mouth, soft tissue irritations, rampant decay, periodontal and endodontic abscesses, and suspicious lesions. Several patients who were experiencing oral pain did not mention it to the physician because they thought only a dentist could address oral pain. I immediately contacted the care provider.
What did you enjoy most about your poster work?
A picture is worth a thousand words. Making our statistics and anatomy visual engaged learners to rethink their perception of the importance of oral health.
Do you anticipate conducting further research on this topic, and if so, what are your next steps?
The poster presented at the AMSN Convention represents the results of phase one. We submitted phase two to the IRB after the conference. The proposal was to educate nurses and patient care technicians on the prevention of NV-HAP and the ADA-ratified Standardized Oral Care Protocol. We also conducted a retrospective and prospective analysis on the frequency of documented oral care on the unit. One month after the education was given, the number of documented oral hygiene care increased by 18%.
Are there other research topics that you would like to pursue in the future, and if so, what excites you most about that potential work?
I believe in the prevention of NV-HAP. The oral microbiome database bridges the science of systemic links. I would like to unveil the blind spot of systemic disorders related to oral health.
What advice do you have for other medical-surgical nurses who are considering pursuing research?
Rest in the fact of perseverance, faith, and trust that what you bring forth benefits your community and its healthcare system.
Content published on the Medical-Surgical Monitor represents the views, thoughts, and opinions of the authors and may not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses.